Some people think that art and design must be very complicated. I totally disagree; I think simple artworks can also be successful and influential. In Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, i discovered some interesting works, and they are simple from the materials to the looks. And those works demonstrate that clean look artworks help audiences to receive the message, and with a simple start, an artwork can be more remarkable.
Being clear is important for an artwork, and simplifying the artworks makes it easier for audience to understand. An over-produced artwork might distract viewer from getting the message by the surplus editing. Simple images, such like the “Symphony of A Big City” directed by Walter Ruttann, highlight the artists’ ideas, and distribute explanation to the viewers. In “Symphony of A Big City”, a man is constructed from communication devices. His right eye is a camera, right ear is a music player, right hand is a pen, and his left hand is typing on a typing machine, which is his body. It is a simple image; the idea of industrialized lives of people in the city is apparent and comprehensible. If the artist adds more communication devices to the background just for filling the huge space and making it complex, the original message might be blurred. Audiences will possibly think the poster is implying an industrialized city, and ignore the people. Therefore, this simple poster successfully delivers its message. However, a simple looking artwork does not mean a simply made artwork. It can be also made in a troublesome process. Making such difficult works look simple is the challenge for the artists. Create an artwork is like writing an essay, the focus and theme should always be clarified and well done.
Usually the most shocking creations start with the simplest matters. Paper is a simple material. We use it everyday, but no one would ever imagine that the weak paper can become strong enough to support humans! Japanese designer, Tokujin Yoshioka’s Honey-Pop, is an armchair made completely from paper. I am astonished by this idea of using paper as material. Comparing this paper chair to creations that made with huge amount of money and wonderful rare resources, those fancy productions are nothing. To make high-grade resources into beautiful creations is normal, but to make simple and unexpected resources into an amazing creation is incredible. The greatest skill can be also shown from the simple based artworks. According to Tokujin’s Honey-Pop, I see that the weakest thing can be also the strongest. Same as the idea for making art, the simplest materials can be made into the most remarkable artworks as well.
Art and design are more and more shared by the public; everyone nowadays knows a little about art and design. Thus, they are becoming a necessary part of people’s lives. During the depression time, putting effort in making simple artworks can save you great amount of money, and challenge you artistic skills. However, I am not saying complicated artworks are bad. It i just that everyone has different tastes. Nevertheless, I do see more and more simplified arts now, in the furniture store, on the street, and on the strangers next to me. Simplification is becoming a fashion.